The song itself is about a boy who wants to find himself a wife. As he intends to choose a smart girl, he stays up late at night inventing riddles in order to test his bride. This is what he asks: what can grow without rain, what can burn without being consumed by the fire and what can cry without tears? The young girl of course is very smart and she answers: a stone can grow without water, love can burn without being consumed by the fire and a heart can cry without tears. Tum Balalaika is a riddle song, seeped in ancient East European tradition. The riddle song gives the young people the oportunity to get to know each other. In the 1930's Jewish, Hungarian, Romanian boys were singing this song to their sweetheart.
Thanks, dear...💚 and a, 'Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit! (pronounced 'law ay-luh paw-drig dun-uh ditch'), Happy St. Patrick's Day in Irish. 😏🫡 Lá Fhéile Pádraig" means "St. Patrick's Day"😘 and "sona" means "happy" 😇
These songs are TIMELESS, but let us NEVER forget them. Please remember, they were almost wiped off the face the Earth 83 years ago. PLEASE, NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.
I remember this as a lullaby my mother sang to me. My Jewish - East European grandparents thought it to her. She only sang it in Yiddish. So many memories. And yes, a heart can cry and shed no tears. So lovely.
I also recall this as mein tyreh momma singing this song in Yiddish. When I hear it now my heart burns with love for her and that love will never burn itself out.
I had never heard of Ruth Rubin previously - my loss - she has a beautiful lyrical voice very easy on the ear - they harmonise and blend perfectly.....
The melody of Tum Balalaika has been used by Nana Mouskouri in her song "Over and over". Benny Hill adapted the melody for one of his own compositions "Anna Marie". It was used in the movie "Swing", by Tony Gatlif, in "The soul keeper", in the play "Angels in America" and many others. The famous cantors B. Miller (Canada), A. Mizrahi (USA) and N. Heistik (Israel) were performing it during their tour "Cantors, a faith of song" at the Portugueze synagoge in Amsterdam in 2003.
Singing along the Tumbalalaika with Pete Seeger and Ruth Rubin on a cold winter morning in NY, aching for the flowers gone long time ago, and remembering a Pete Seeger concert in Central Park on a warm summer night many years ago - so under his spell - believing wholeheartedly with him in building ladders to the sky, in overcoming some day, in forever young… May his songs always be sung. Nurit Israeli
Pete's was the voice of my growing-up years and Ruth Rubin was one of my teachers in the leftwing secular Yiddish supplementary schools of the Jewish People's Fraternal Order-International Workers' Order. (The Yiddish-handicapped are hereby informed that Ruth messed-up the last verse that Pete had accurately translated.) The book Pete refers to at the beginning is Ruth's "A Treasury of Jewish Folksong," 1964.
I've truly fallen down the rabbit hole for pete seeger, every song i listen by him it makes me wish more and more i knew of him when he was still around. An amazing soul with such wisdom and knowledge. Thank you for uploading this :)
Tum balalaika, also written sometimes "Tumbalalaika", is a Russian-Jewish lovesong, sang in the Jiddish language. Nothing is to be found about the real origin of the song, but it is certain that it finds its origins in the 19 th century. It was written in the natural minor scale, in 3/4. The meaning of the title might be hard to explain: especially the word "tum" causes a difficulty, as there is no such word in Russin language. Some people thought that "tum" could stand for the sound of touching the strings of the balalaika. Other sources say that "Tum" is the Jiddish word for "noice", which could be an acceptable explanation. "Balalaika" of course stands for the Russian instrument. This refering to the Russian musical instrument is also a strange fact, as the balalaika is not commonly used in Jewish bands: they all do prefer violins.
This version of this beautiful Jewish Yiddish song is such a beautiful song and makes an amazingly beautiful lullaby. This song has inspired me to someday make some 101 Dalmatian Street fanart.
The joys of unrehearsed, live television. Dear Ruth started with the 2nd stanza, so Pete came in in English with a quick recap of the missing first verse. Then she sang the 2nd again &, as you see, forgot some of the words of the last. A delightful rendition of the full song is on RU-vid as: The Creepy Bard Tumbalalaika. Has very cute info on the song, too.
IN THE '60'S ...... MY MA & DEH USED TO SING 'TUMBALALAIKA' .... AND SO, I LEARNED TO MAIN CHORUS AND SANG ALONG WITH THEM .... GITTEH TZITEN' ! (GOOD TIMES (MEMORIES) !
We learned this song in elementary school chorus. It was the english version. I sing this to my son now , its a relaxing melody and it puts him to sleep
@@daisychainmilk Yes. We still said the Tumbalalaika part but the rest is: . "Madan, Madan can you explain ? What can grow without any rain, what can burn for many a year, wha-at can cry and shed not a tear?" Then second verse is." Foolish boy i can explain. A stone can grow without any rain, true love can burn for many a year, a sad heart can cry and shed not a tear " This is the version at least we learned. I put my sons name in instead of Madan and then say "Little boy" instead of foolish boy when singing it to him :)
Tumbalalaika" (Yiddish: טום־באַלאַלײַקע) is a Russian Jewish folk and love song in the Yiddish language. Tum (טום) is the Yiddish word for 'noise' and a balalaika is a stringed musical instrument of Russian origin. Lyrics / A young lad stands, and he thinks Thinks and thinks the whole night through Whom to take and not to shame Whom to take and not to shame (chorus) Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbalalaika, strum balalaika Tumbalalaika, may we be happy Girl, girl, I want to ask of you What can grow, grow without rain? What can burn and never end? What can yearn, cry without tears? (chorus) Foolish lad, why do you have to ask? A stone can grow, grow without rain Love can burn and never end A heart can yearn, cry without tears (chorus) What is higher than a house? What is swifter than a mouse? What is deeper than a well? What is bitter, more bitter than gall? (chorus) A chimney is higher than a house A cat is swifter than a mouse The Torah is deeper than a well Death is bitter, more bitter than gall (chorus) Lyrics/ Hebrew transliteration Shteyt a bokher, un er trakht (also shteyt un trakht) Trakht un trakht a gantse nakht Vemen tzu nemen un nit farshemen Vemen tzu nemen un nit farshemen (chorus) Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbalalaika, shpil balalaika Tumbalalaika (also Shpil balalaika), freylekh zol zayn Meydl, meydl, kh'vil bay dir fregn, Vos ken vaksn, vaksn on regn? Vos ken brenen un nit oyfhern? Vos ken benken, veynen on trern? (chorus) Narisher bokher, vos darfstu fregn? A shteyn ken vaksn, vaksn on regn. Libe ken brenen un nit oyfhern. A harts ken benken, veynen on trern. (chorus) Vos iz hekher fun a hoyz? Vos iz flinker fun a moyz? Vos iz tifer fun a kval? Vos iz biter, biterer vi gal? (chorus) A koymen iz hekher fun a hoyz. A kats iz flinker fun a moyz. Di toyre iz tifer fun a kval. Der toyt iz biter, biterer vi gal. (chorus) Lyrics/ YiddishTransliterationTranslation[1] שטײט אַ בחור און ער טראַכט, (או: שטײט אַ בחור, שטײט און טראַכט) טראַכט און טראַכט אַ גאַנצע נאַכט: וועמען צו נעמען און ניט פֿאַרשעמען, וועמען צו נעמען און ניט פֿאַרשעמען? טום־באַלאַ, טום־באַלאַ, טום־באַלאַלײַקע טום־באַלאַ, טום־באַלאַ, טום־באַלאַלײַקע טום־באַלאַלײַקע, שפּיל באַלאַלײַקע, טום־באַלאַלײַקע, פֿריילעך זאָל זײַן! (או: שפּיל באַלאַלײַקע, פֿריילעך זאָל זײַן!) מיידל, מיידל, כ'וויל בײַ דיר פֿרעגן: וואָס קען וואַקסן, וואַקסן אָן רעגן? וואָס קען ברענען און ניט אויפֿהערן? וואָס קען בענקען, וויינען אָן טרערן? טום־באַלאַ, טום־באַלאַ... נאַרישער בחור, וואָס דאַרפֿסטו פֿרעגן? אַ שטיין קען וואַקסן, וואַקסן אָן רעגן, ליבע קען ברענען און ניט אויפֿהערן, אַ האַרץ קען בענקען, וויינען אָן טרערן! טום־באַלאַ, טום־באַלאַ... וואָס איז העכער פֿון אַ הויז? וואָס איז פֿלינקער פֿון אַ מויז? וואָס איז טיפֿער פֿון אַ קוואַל? וואָס איז ביטער, ביטערער ווי גאַל? טום־באַלאַ, טום־באַלאַ... אַ קוימען איז העכער פֿון אַ הויז, אַ קאַץ איז פֿלינקער פֿון אַ מויז, די תּורה איז טיפֿער פֿון אַ קוואַל, דער טויט איז ביטער, ביטערער ווי גאַל! טום־באַלאַ, טום־באַלאַ...
OMG I haven't heard this grade school choir! I'm so happy to find this. I love the cadence to this song, it's so easy to get wrapped up in it when I sing. I'm glad he mentioned what it's about for us English speakers, for anyone who wants the exact English lyrics to the verses it goes like this: Maiden maiden tell me true What can grow without the dew What can live for years and years What can cry and shed no tears? Silly boy the answer true A stone can grow without the dew Love can burn for years and years A heart can cry and shed no tears! Now, can anyone tell me what Tumbala laika translates to? I thought it meant make noise on the instrument or make a musical noise, with tum meaning noise and balalaika being an instrument, but they've separated the words differently, they're not that at all, so I know I'm wrong.
There is a balalaika- musical instrument, that was popular in Russia until the 20th century. I guess, it was popular among Russian Jews as well. It’s a string instrument. it should be tum balalaika, where tum means nothing but bom-bom, or that sort of things. Tum has no meaning. I hope it helps.
Just played this again this evening. Tears in my eyes given the total shite going on in the world and Iretz Yisroel in particular. My heart is with all who have suffered and I pray for humanity to bring forward real leaders with courage and heart for all.
Maiden maiden tell me true What can grow without the dew What can burn for years and years What can cry and shed no tears Tum Bala Tum Bala Tum Balalaika Tum Bala Tum Bala Tum Balalaika Tum Balalaika Tum Balalaika Tum Bala Tum Bala Tum Balali Listen I've an answer for you Stone can grow with out the dew Love can burn for years and years A heart can cry and shed no tears
Тум-балалайка - перевод Наум Сагаловский Тум-балалайка (авторство песни приписывают Аврааму Эльштейну или Сабине Шпильрейн) Идиш: Штэйт а бухэр, ун эр трахт, трахт ун трахт а ганцэ нахт: вэмэн цу нэмэн ун нит фаршэймэн, вэмэн цу нэмэн ун нит фаршэймэн? Припев: Тум-бала, тум-бала, тум-балалайкэ, Тум-бала, тум-бала, тум-балалайкэ, Тум-балалайкэ, шпил, балалайкэ, шпил балалайкэ, фрэйлех зол зайн! Мэйдл, мэйдл, х'вил бай дир фрэйгн: вус кэн ваксн, ваксн он рэйгн? Вус кэн брэнэн ун нит ойфhэрн? Вус кэн бэнкэн, вэйнэн он трэрн? (Припев.) Наришэр бухэр, вус дарфсту фрэйгн? А штэйн кэн ваксн, ваксн он рэйгн, либэ кэн брэнэн ин нит ойфhэрн, а hарц кэн бэнкэн, вэйнэн он трэрн! (Припев.) Русский перевод: Бравый мальчишка, жениться непрочь, думает, думает целую ночь - на ком бы жениться, чтоб не стыдиться, на ком бы жениться, чтоб не стыдиться. Припев: Тум-бала, тум-бала, тум-балалайка, тум-бала, тум-бала, тум-балалайка, тум-балалайка, пой, балалайка, пой, балалайка, радость нам дай! - Девушка, слушай, ответь мне толково - что может расти без дождя проливного, что без огня горит, не сгорает, что может плакать, а слёз не роняет? Припев. - Глупый мальчишка, что ж тут такого? Камень растёт без дождя проливного, любовь без огня горит, не сгорает, сердце плачет, а слёз не роняет... Припев.
I found out about this song thanks to great Italian movie called 'Prendimi l'Anima' (lit. 'Take My Soul'), or 'The Soul Keeper'. I cry every time, at the end, when they sing it. :) Lovely version, by the way!
A friend of mine sent me the video or clip of that movie, and I thought that was one of the best versions of Tumbalalaika--the music--because it seemed to be set in a psychiatric hospital with Tumbalalaika being the sound track. Also, one day I heard popular music on my car radio, and couldn't believe my ears when I heard Tumbalalaika.
Shteyt a bokher, un er trakht (also shteyt un trakht) Trakht un trakht a gantse nakht Vemen tzu nemen un nit farshemen Vemen tzu nemen un nit farshemen ((chorus)) Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbalalaika, shpil balalaika Tumbalalaika (also Shpil balalaika), freylekh zol zayn Meydl, meydl, kh'vil bay dir fregn, Vos ken vaksn, vaksn on regn? Vos ken brenen un nit oyfhern? Vos ken benken, veynen on trern? ((chorus)) Narisher bokher, vos darfstu fregn? A shteyn ken vaksn, vaksn on regn. Libe ken brenen un nit oyfhern. A harts ken benken, veynen on trern. ((chorus)) Vos iz hekher fun a hoyz? Vos iz flinker fun a moyz? Vos iz tifer fun a kval? Vos iz biter, biterer vi gal? ((chorus)) A koymen iz hekher fun a hoyz. A kats iz flinker fun a moyz. Di toyre iz tifer fun a kval. Der toyt iz biter, biterer vi gal. ((chorus)) Translation: A young lad stands, and he thinks Thinks and thinks the whole night through Whom to take and not to shame Whom to take and not to shame ((chorus)) Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika Tumbalalaika, strum balalaika Tumbalalaika, may we be happy Girl, girl, I want to ask of you What can grow, grow without rain? What can burn and never end? What can yearn, cry without tears? ((chorus)) Foolish lad, why do you have to ask? A stone can grow, grow without rain Love can burn and never end A heart can yearn, cry without tears ((chorus)) What is higher than a house? What is swifter than a mouse? What is deeper than a well? What is bitter, more bitter than gall? ((chorus)) A chimney is higher than a house A cat is swifter than a mouse The Torah is deeper than a well Death is bitter, more bitter than gall ((chorus))
Tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, Tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, tum balalaika, freylekh zol zayn. Shteyt a bokher un er trakht, trakht un trakht a gantse nakht, Vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen? Vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen? Tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, Tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, tum balalaika, freylekh zol zayn. Meydl, meydl, ikh vel bay dir fregn, vos ken vaksn, vaksn on regn? Vos ken brenen un nit oyfhern? Vos ken benken, veynen on trern? Tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, Tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, tum balalaika, freylekh zol zayn. Narisher bokher, vos darfstu fregn? A shteyn ken vaksn, vaksn on regn, Libe ken brenen un nit oyfhern, a harts ken benken, veynen on trern. Tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, Tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, tum balalaika, freylekh zol zayn.
At 0:02 - big ERROR ! Its NOT 'laika' !! Balalaika is musical-instrument in east-europe. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balalaika It has NOTHING with a dog named 'Laika' to do How ever - RIP Pete Seeger
@@user-bn4lf6rd6f it's the title of a Primo Levi's book that means "If not now, when?". In this book the song is mentioned. And it's really nice to listen to a korean version. It would be great if you translated the lyrics!
Oh, this is the original version of the Israeli folk song that is adapted to Korean. Your video has nothing to do with the video I linked to. Thank you so much. ^^;;
@@gracielapozzebon The original song of this song was popular in Korea in the late 1990s with the drama 'Six Siblings'. I looked it up because I missed the original song in over 20 years. Please be careful of COVID-19 and always be healthy. 🖐🏻
"Maiden, maiden tell me true What can grow without the dew, What can burn for years and years, What Cry but shed no tears? Silly, lad, the answer true: A stone can grow without the dew, Love can burn for years and years. A heart can cry but shed no tears..."
Dazu brauche ich kein Englisch können, das hat man beim Haschomer Hatzair auch schon gesungen - den jüdischen Pfadfindern - We Emaz bzw. Gut Pfad, Schwestern und Brüder im Bund!
Not Ukrainian. Rather Rusin (AKA "Rusyn") an oppressed minority within the Ukraine. In WW2 the Western Ukrainians sided, slavishly, with Hitler. the Rusins fiercely opposed them both. Ukrainian Nationalists have not forgiven them this and today, after the collapse of the USSR, the Rusin people suffer much under the Ukrainian boot. They deserve recognition and respect!
